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In the face of conflict, the significance of civil society organizations (CSOs) cannot be overstated. Over the past two years, Ukraine’s civil society sector has showcased remarkable adaptability, effectiveness, and commitment. Their work has become a lifeline for Ukrainian society, particularly for those impacted by the ongoing warfare.
Since the onset of the full-scale invasion, the Foundation has been unwavering in its mission to support the public in every conceivable way. We launch beneficial initiatives, provide grants, and foster the institutional development of CSOs.
One such initiative is Together We Shelter. This program is designed to bolster the capabilities of local CSOs that assist individuals affected by the war.
With the generous financial backing of the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund, we have granted 26 awards to CSOs in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Lviv, and Kherson regions. In total, the “Together We Shelter” program has extended aid to over 11,000 individuals in its first year of operation.
The CSOs that emerged victorious in the grant competition concentrated their efforts on supporting groups that require special attention – women, children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities.
During the program’s first phase, nine grants totaling up to UAH 1,100,000 were allocated for the refurbishment and equipping of shelters for internally displaced persons. This crucial step has paved the way for safe and comfortable living conditions for 1,438 individuals, including 462 children, 334 elderly people, and 107 people with disabilities.
The program’s second phase focused on providing non-food items to the affected populace. Seventeen grants, each up to UAH 950,000, were awarded to non-profit organizations across five regions of Ukraine. The Kherson region was prioritized due to the critical humanitarian crisis that ensued following the hostile attack on the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station.
Household kits, family kits, and kits for temporary residence centers were distributed to 9,775 individuals, including 2,809 children, 2,444 elderly people, and 1,017 people with disabilities. In total, CSOs distributed 3,476 humanitarian aid kits filled with household items to enhance the comfort of shelter life as part of the program’s second phase.
All 24 partner CSOs also underwent an organizational capacity assessment and received individual development plans. Additionally, based on the assessment results and the organizations’ requests, we have outlined a training program.
Throughout the year, more than 80 representatives from CSOs have benefited from 10 expert-led trainings. The training topics encompassed:
As part of the “Together We Shelter” program, we have developed a complimentary online course titled “How to Prevent 90% of Problems in Humanitarian Response” on the Zrozumilo! educational platform. This course is designed to enhance the knowledge and professionalism of the public sector.
The course delves into the fundamental principles and standards of humanitarian response, such as the standard of accountability to the affected population and the policy on protection from sexual exploitation and abuse.
The course is expertly presented by Dina Volynets and Yaroslava Kravchenko.
As of today, the course has attracted nearly 500 registrants.
The “Together We Shelter” program stands as a testament to the power of collective efforts in effecting positive change and providing aid to those in dire circumstances. Such initiatives are pivotal in today’s world for fostering community resilience and unity, and for achieving our shared objective – to extend our support and protection to those in need.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the partners who have made this program possible.
Together, we can accomplish more.
Together, we Shelter.